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New York Knicks: Five best moments against Michael Jordan

By Jeffrey Bellone

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Washington Wizards forward Michael Jordan looks towards the rafters during pre-game ceremonies at the start of his first game, against the New York Knicks, since returning to the NBA for the second time 30 October, 2001 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Washington Wizards forward Michael Jordan looks towards the rafters during pre-game ceremonies at the start of his first game, against the New York Knicks, since returning to the NBA for the second time 30 October, 2001 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Michael Jordan
19 Apr 1997: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls splits the defense of Larry Johnson and Allan Houston of the New York Knicks during the Bulls 103-101 loss at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport) /

5. 70 wins? No!

In April of ’97, the Bulls were looking to win 70 games for the second season in a row, an astonishing feat considering no team had won 70 games in a season before they had.

Meanwhile, the Knicks were looking to secure the third seed in the East, instead of the fourth slot, which would have pitted them against the dominant Bulls as early as the second round of the playoffs.

Not only did the Bulls have 70 wins in their sights that night, they were also riding a 32-game home winning streak, looking to finish the season 40-1 at the United Center, matching a record set by the 1985-86 Boston Celtics. After losing to the Miami Heat in early December, the Bulls hadn’t lost at home in over four months.

Then the New York Knicks came to town.

Despite a 33-point performance by Jordan in which he shot an efficient 14-22 from the field, the Knicks spoiled the party for the Bulls with a 103-101 victory. Scottie Pippen missed a three-pointer in the closing seconds to secure the win for the Knicks.

It was the Knicks’ first victory in Chicago in three years, and their first win in the Bulls’ new arena. Patrick Ewing and Allan Houston led the way for New York with 52 combined points. John Starks added 20 points off the bench, including a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter.

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